A sinkhole turned out to be an underground tunnel to a Florida bank
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Police Make More Than 10 Million Arrests a Year, but That Doesn’t Mean They’re Solving Crimes
Police Make More Than 10 Million Arrests a Year, but That Doesn’t Mean They’re Solving Crimes
Do we really want this? “Among the most common causes for arrest are low-level offenses like “disorderly conduct” and a broad, largely unexplained category the FBI refers to as “all other offenses,” which can include a variety of non-traffic offenses, violations of local ordinances, and civil violations like failure to pay fines or child support. Together with drug violations, these offenses account for more than 80 percent of arrests, while serious, violent offenses make up less than 5 percent of arrests.”
Do we really want this? “Among the most common causes for arrest are low-level offenses like “disorderly conduct” and a broad, largely unexplained category the FBI refers to as “all other offenses,” which can include a variety of non-traffic offenses, violations of local ordinances, and civil violations like failure to pay fines or child support. Together with drug violations, these offenses account for more than 80 percent of arrests, while serious, violent offenses make up less than 5 percent of arrests.”
Watch: Tourist in Australia picks up a "pretty octopus," not realizing he could die in minutes if stung
Watch: Tourist in Australia picks up a "pretty octopus," not realizing he could die in minutes if stung
Australia: Everything can kill you. "A tourist in Australia picked up a beautiful tiny octopus and originally posted it on TikTok with "What a pretty octopus" written in Mandarin. But what the tourist didn't seem to know is that he was holding a blue-ringed octopus, which "carries enough venom to kill 26 full grown adults in a span of minutes," according to Gizmodo."
Australia: Everything can kill you. "A tourist in Australia picked up a beautiful tiny octopus and originally posted it on TikTok with "What a pretty octopus" written in Mandarin. But what the tourist didn't seem to know is that he was holding a blue-ringed octopus, which "carries enough venom to kill 26 full grown adults in a span of minutes," according to Gizmodo."
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Apple blocks Facebook from running its internal iOS apps
Apple blocks Facebook from running its internal iOS apps
Facebook is really big, but not too big to slap on the wrist.
Facebook is really big, but not too big to slap on the wrist.
TechCrunch: Facebook Pays Teenagers to Install VPN That Spies on Them
TechCrunch: Facebook Pays Teenagers to Install VPN That Spies on Them
Yes. "Genuinely interested to see how Apple responds to this. To my eyes, this action constitutes Facebook declaring war on Apple’s iOS privacy protections. I don’t think it would be out of line for Apple to revoke Facebook’s developer certificate, maybe even pull their apps from the App Store. No regular developer would get away with this. Facebook is betting that their apps are too popular, that they can do what they want and Apple has to sit back and take it. I keep saying Facebook is a criminal enterprise, and I’m not exaggerating. Sometimes a bully needs to be punched in the face, not just told to knock it off."
Yes. "Genuinely interested to see how Apple responds to this. To my eyes, this action constitutes Facebook declaring war on Apple’s iOS privacy protections. I don’t think it would be out of line for Apple to revoke Facebook’s developer certificate, maybe even pull their apps from the App Store. No regular developer would get away with this. Facebook is betting that their apps are too popular, that they can do what they want and Apple has to sit back and take it. I keep saying Facebook is a criminal enterprise, and I’m not exaggerating. Sometimes a bully needs to be punched in the face, not just told to knock it off."
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Matthew Yglesias on Twitter
Matthew Yglesias on Twitter
Yes. Being a billionaire should be a disqualification, not an advantage to run under.
Yes. Being a billionaire should be a disqualification, not an advantage to run under.
Facebook Moves to Block Ad Transparency Tools — Including Ours — ProPublica
Facebook Moves to Block Ad Transparency Tools — Including Ours — ProPublica
Facebook shuts down transparency tool that made it look bad.
Facebook shuts down transparency tool that made it look bad.
Monday, January 28, 2019
Star Trek: Discovery | Season 2 Premiere Episode | CBS All Access
Star Trek: Discovery | Season 2 Premiere Episode | CBS All Access
This was really good. I never got into Season 1 as I found it too contrived and I dislike the Mirror Universe.
This was really good. I never got into Season 1 as I found it too contrived and I dislike the Mirror Universe.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Adam Best on Twitter
Adam Best on Twitter
Fox News to Watchers: Never mind what’s going on over there, look closely at me while I tell you what we want you to know.
Fox News to Watchers: Never mind what’s going on over there, look closely at me while I tell you what we want you to know.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Donald J. Trump on Twitter
Donald J. Trump on Twitter
Desperately trying to convince himself and us that he didn’t get owned.
Desperately trying to convince himself and us that he didn’t get owned.
Pelosi schools Trump in the art of power
Pelosi schools Trump in the art of power
Meeting his match. "I think the President has respect for allies or opponents who he sees as strong," said Marc Short, Trump's former legislative director in the White House and a CNN contributor. It's no accident that Trump, so deft at assigning humiliating nicknames to dismiss his foes, refers to Pelosi simply as "Nancy."
Meeting his match. "I think the President has respect for allies or opponents who he sees as strong," said Marc Short, Trump's former legislative director in the White House and a CNN contributor. It's no accident that Trump, so deft at assigning humiliating nicknames to dismiss his foes, refers to Pelosi simply as "Nancy."
GOP senators read Pence riot act before shutdown votes
GOP senators read Pence riot act before shutdown votes
The cracks begin to show. "One of the most remarkable moments during the Senate luncheon came when McConnell told Pence that shuttering the government to try to secure funding for a border wall was not a smart approach. “McConnell talked about how we need to bring this process to a close; we should never have had a shutdown; they don’t work; I’ve said this numerous times; I don’t know how many times I’ve told you there’s no education in the second kick of a mule,” said a GOP source familiar with the meeting."
The cracks begin to show. "One of the most remarkable moments during the Senate luncheon came when McConnell told Pence that shuttering the government to try to secure funding for a border wall was not a smart approach. “McConnell talked about how we need to bring this process to a close; we should never have had a shutdown; they don’t work; I’ve said this numerous times; I don’t know how many times I’ve told you there’s no education in the second kick of a mule,” said a GOP source familiar with the meeting."
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Trump admin preparing draft order to declare national emergency to fund wall: report
Trump admin preparing draft order to declare national emergency to fund wall: report
We’re going to have an emergency whether there is one or not. There is no emergency.
We’re going to have an emergency whether there is one or not. There is no emergency.
Matt McDermott on Twitter
Matt McDermott on Twitter
Let us all remember who is responsible for the shutdown and all of the problems it has created for many, many people.
Let us all remember who is responsible for the shutdown and all of the problems it has created for many, many people.
Media Matters on Twitter
Media Matters on Twitter
Secretary Ross: Why don’t they just get a loan? #outoftouch #TrumpShutdown
Secretary Ross: Why don’t they just get a loan? #outoftouch #TrumpShutdown
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Trump says he'll give 'alternative' State of the Union after Pelosi blocks address over shutdown
Trump says he'll give 'alternative' State of the Union after Pelosi blocks address over shutdown
But it won’t actually be the Stare of the Union.
But it won’t actually be the Stare of the Union.
Bobby Lewis on Twitter
Bobby Lewis on Twitter
Black is not one of the school colors. This is showing who they are – and it’s not pretty.
Black is not one of the school colors. This is showing who they are – and it’s not pretty.
House Dems launch expansive probe into White House security clearance process
House Dems launch expansive probe into White House security clearance process
Of course. How else did some of these people get clearances?
Of course. How else did some of these people get clearances?
Frank Thorp V on Twitter
Frank Thorp V on Twitter
So, he was disinvited to deliver the SotU in person by Pelosi, and he has just invited himself anyways. Will she turn him away? Can she? Who will win this battle of wills?
So, he was disinvited to deliver the SotU in person by Pelosi, and he has just invited himself anyways. Will she turn him away? Can she? Who will win this battle of wills?
Opinion | The GOP has become the Soviet party
Opinion | The GOP has become the Soviet party
Yup. “Once upon a time, Ayn Rand-reading, red-baiting Republicans denounced Soviet Russia as an evil superpower intent on destroying the American way of life. My, how things have changed. The Grand Old Party has quietly become the pro-Russia party — and not only because the party’s standard-bearer seems peculiarly enamored of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Under Republican leadership, the United States is starting to look an awful lot like the failed Soviet system the party once stood unified against. Supposedly middle-class workers — people who have government jobs that are supposed to be stable and secure — are waiting in bread lines. Thanks to government dysfunction and mismanagement, those employed in the private sector may also be going hungry, since 2,500 vendors nationwide are unable to participate in the food stamp program while the government is shuttered and unable to renew licenses for the Electronic Benefit Transfer debit card program. Why? Because of the whims of a would-be autocrat who cares more about erecting an expensive monument to his own campaign rhetoric than about the pain and suffering of the little people he claims to champion.”
Yup. “Once upon a time, Ayn Rand-reading, red-baiting Republicans denounced Soviet Russia as an evil superpower intent on destroying the American way of life. My, how things have changed. The Grand Old Party has quietly become the pro-Russia party — and not only because the party’s standard-bearer seems peculiarly enamored of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Under Republican leadership, the United States is starting to look an awful lot like the failed Soviet system the party once stood unified against. Supposedly middle-class workers — people who have government jobs that are supposed to be stable and secure — are waiting in bread lines. Thanks to government dysfunction and mismanagement, those employed in the private sector may also be going hungry, since 2,500 vendors nationwide are unable to participate in the food stamp program while the government is shuttered and unable to renew licenses for the Electronic Benefit Transfer debit card program. Why? Because of the whims of a would-be autocrat who cares more about erecting an expensive monument to his own campaign rhetoric than about the pain and suffering of the little people he claims to champion.”
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Monday, January 21, 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Inside the GM plant where nooses and 'whites-only' signs hung
Inside the GM plant where nooses and 'whites-only' signs hung
In 2018. “That first noose, and then a second, then third, fourth and fifth were all reported to GM, according to the lawsuit Boyd and eight other black employees have filed against the company for allowing an "underlying atmosphere of violent racial hate and bullying."”
In 2018. “That first noose, and then a second, then third, fourth and fifth were all reported to GM, according to the lawsuit Boyd and eight other black employees have filed against the company for allowing an "underlying atmosphere of violent racial hate and bullying."”
Donald J. Trump on Twitter
Donald J. Trump on Twitter
Is he negging Nancy Pelosi to get her to go out with him? Has he mistaken a PUA book with Art of the Deal? It’s not like he read (or wrote) his own book.
Is he negging Nancy Pelosi to get her to go out with him? Has he mistaken a PUA book with Art of the Deal? It’s not like he read (or wrote) his own book.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Alexis McAdams ABC-7 on Twitter
Alexis McAdams ABC-7 on Twitter
Laquan McDonald might have something to say about paying an ultimate price, but your husband shot him 16 times.
Laquan McDonald might have something to say about paying an ultimate price, but your husband shot him 16 times.
Friday, January 18, 2019
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Pelosi asks Trump to postpone State of the Union over shutdown
Pelosi asks Trump to postpone State of the Union over shutdown
Let's take this time to go back to the original process of SotU, a letter to Congress. "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) asked President Trump on Wednesday to delay his State of the Union address set for Jan. 29 until after the government re-opens. Pelosi said because the Secret Service is the lead agency for security and it has not been funded due to the shutdown, the address should be put off. “Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29th,” Speaker Pelosi continued."
Let's take this time to go back to the original process of SotU, a letter to Congress. "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) asked President Trump on Wednesday to delay his State of the Union address set for Jan. 29 until after the government re-opens. Pelosi said because the Secret Service is the lead agency for security and it has not been funded due to the shutdown, the address should be put off. “Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29th,” Speaker Pelosi continued."
McConnell blocks House bill to reopen government for second time
McConnell blocks House bill to reopen government for second time
Should we be calling this the McConnell shutdown instead of the Trump shutdown?
Should we be calling this the McConnell shutdown instead of the Trump shutdown?
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Monday, January 14, 2019
P&G Challenges Men to Shave Their ‘Toxic Masculinity’ in Gillette Ad
P&G Challenges Men to Shave Their ‘Toxic Masculinity’ in Gillette Ad
Good. "The ad, dubbed “We Believe,” opens with audio of news about the current #MeToo movement, bullying and “toxic masculinity.” A narrator then goes on to dispute the notion that “boys will be boys,” asking, “Is this the best a man can get? Is it? We can’t hide from it. It has been going on far too long. We can’t laugh it off, making the same old excuses.” The ad puts a new spin on the brand’s 30-year tagline, “The Best A Man Can Get,” challenging men to take positive actions, such as stopping other men, and the next generation, from harassing women. The ad will be hosted on Gillette’s YouTube page with paid digital and social support. Gillette parent Procter & Gamble Co. is among companies that in recent years have used advertising as a platform to promote their stance on social issues such as gender equality, and polarizing political topics such as immigration and gun control. P&G is perhaps best known for its lauded “Like a Girl” ad campaign for feminine-care brand Always and “Stress test” for deodorant brand Secret. The latest ad, created by Gillette’s ad agency Grey, is among the first to address the #MeToo movement head on, and to blatantly tell men to change their behavior."
Good. "The ad, dubbed “We Believe,” opens with audio of news about the current #MeToo movement, bullying and “toxic masculinity.” A narrator then goes on to dispute the notion that “boys will be boys,” asking, “Is this the best a man can get? Is it? We can’t hide from it. It has been going on far too long. We can’t laugh it off, making the same old excuses.” The ad puts a new spin on the brand’s 30-year tagline, “The Best A Man Can Get,” challenging men to take positive actions, such as stopping other men, and the next generation, from harassing women. The ad will be hosted on Gillette’s YouTube page with paid digital and social support. Gillette parent Procter & Gamble Co. is among companies that in recent years have used advertising as a platform to promote their stance on social issues such as gender equality, and polarizing political topics such as immigration and gun control. P&G is perhaps best known for its lauded “Like a Girl” ad campaign for feminine-care brand Always and “Stress test” for deodorant brand Secret. The latest ad, created by Gillette’s ad agency Grey, is among the first to address the #MeToo movement head on, and to blatantly tell men to change their behavior."
50 Moments That Define the Trump Presidency
50 Moments That Define the Trump Presidency
It is amazing that it is only 2 years. It feels like an eternity.
It is amazing that it is only 2 years. It feels like an eternity.
Sunshine Considered Harmful? Perhaps Not.
Sunshine Considered Harmful? Perhaps Not.
Go out more. "When I spoke with Weller, I made the mistake of characterizing this notion as counterintuitive. “It’s entirely intuitive,” he responded. “Homo sapiens have been around for 200,000 years. Until the industrial revolution, we lived outside. How did we get through the Neolithic Era without sunscreen? Actually, perfectly well. What’s counterintuitive is that dermatologists run around saying, ‘Don’t go outside, you might die.’” When you spend much of your day treating patients with terrible melanomas, it’s natural to focus on preventing them, but you need to keep the big picture in mind. Orthopedic surgeons, after all, don’t advise their patients to avoid exercise in order to reduce the risk of knee injuries. Meanwhile, that big picture just keeps getting more interesting. Vitamin D now looks like the tip of the solar iceberg. Sunlight triggers the release of a number of other important compounds in the body, not only nitric oxide but also serotonin and endorphins. It reduces the risk of prostate, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. It improves circadian rhythms. It reduces inflammation and dampens autoimmune responses. It improves virtually every mental condition you can think of. And it’s free. These seem like benefits everyone should be able to take advantage of. But not all people process sunlight the same way. And the current U.S. sun-exposure guidelines were written for the whitest people on earth."
Go out more. "When I spoke with Weller, I made the mistake of characterizing this notion as counterintuitive. “It’s entirely intuitive,” he responded. “Homo sapiens have been around for 200,000 years. Until the industrial revolution, we lived outside. How did we get through the Neolithic Era without sunscreen? Actually, perfectly well. What’s counterintuitive is that dermatologists run around saying, ‘Don’t go outside, you might die.’” When you spend much of your day treating patients with terrible melanomas, it’s natural to focus on preventing them, but you need to keep the big picture in mind. Orthopedic surgeons, after all, don’t advise their patients to avoid exercise in order to reduce the risk of knee injuries. Meanwhile, that big picture just keeps getting more interesting. Vitamin D now looks like the tip of the solar iceberg. Sunlight triggers the release of a number of other important compounds in the body, not only nitric oxide but also serotonin and endorphins. It reduces the risk of prostate, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. It improves circadian rhythms. It reduces inflammation and dampens autoimmune responses. It improves virtually every mental condition you can think of. And it’s free. These seem like benefits everyone should be able to take advantage of. But not all people process sunlight the same way. And the current U.S. sun-exposure guidelines were written for the whitest people on earth."
Adorable snowshoe hares found to routinely feast on their own dead: study
Adorable snowshoe hares found to routinely feast on their own dead: study
Interesting. "The University of Alberta study adds to a growing scientific realization that herbivores actually love meat, they’re just bad at finding it"
Interesting. "The University of Alberta study adds to a growing scientific realization that herbivores actually love meat, they’re just bad at finding it"
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Friday, January 11, 2019
The Self-Domestication of Humans
The Self-Domestication of Humans
We domesticated ourselves. "Dr. Leach listed four characteristics of the bones of domesticated animals: They mainly have smaller bodies than their wild ancestors; their faces tend to be shorter and don’t project as far forward; the differences between males and females are less highly developed; and they tend to have smaller brain cavities (and thus brains). As it turns out, all of these changes appear in human fossils. Even our brain size fits the pattern: While the human brain grew steadily over the last two million years, that trajectory took a sudden turn about 30,000 years ago, when brains started to become smaller."
We domesticated ourselves. "Dr. Leach listed four characteristics of the bones of domesticated animals: They mainly have smaller bodies than their wild ancestors; their faces tend to be shorter and don’t project as far forward; the differences between males and females are less highly developed; and they tend to have smaller brain cavities (and thus brains). As it turns out, all of these changes appear in human fossils. Even our brain size fits the pattern: While the human brain grew steadily over the last two million years, that trajectory took a sudden turn about 30,000 years ago, when brains started to become smaller."
Google board sued for $90 million payout to Andy Rubin amid sexual abuse probe
Google board sued for $90 million payout to Andy Rubin amid sexual abuse probe
Don't be evil appears to be a sick joke. "“While at Google, Rubin is also alleged to have engaged in human sex trafficking -- paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to women to be, in Rubin’s own words, ‘owned’ by him.” The Board of Directors of Alphabet Inc., parent company of Google, has been sued by shareholders for okaying that $90 million exit payment to Andy Rubin, the Android mobile software superstar developer, while actively covering up abuse committed by him and other executives. Rubin was credibly accused of violently sexually abusing a Google colleague *before* the board greenlit that $90 million exit package, which sure makes it smell a lot like very expensive hush money for a very bad thing."
Don't be evil appears to be a sick joke. "“While at Google, Rubin is also alleged to have engaged in human sex trafficking -- paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to women to be, in Rubin’s own words, ‘owned’ by him.” The Board of Directors of Alphabet Inc., parent company of Google, has been sued by shareholders for okaying that $90 million exit payment to Andy Rubin, the Android mobile software superstar developer, while actively covering up abuse committed by him and other executives. Rubin was credibly accused of violently sexually abusing a Google colleague *before* the board greenlit that $90 million exit package, which sure makes it smell a lot like very expensive hush money for a very bad thing."
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Steve King on Twitter
Steve King on Twitter
Me. King would like his statements to be taken as dog whistles instead of directly racist statements.
Me. King would like his statements to be taken as dog whistles instead of directly racist statements.
PLANET OF PERIL (35) – HILOBROW
PLANET OF PERIL (35) – HILOBROW
Sexist advertising. "A friend recently pointed out to me that the cover illustration on the Battleship board game from 1967 depicts dad and son having fun while mom and sis look on approvingly from the kitchen — where they are doing the dishes. I remember playing Battleship, probably a few years after the game was released (certainly at someone else’s house as there is no way my WWII naval combat survivor father would have allowed it in ours). I already sensed, at a very early age, that some things about being female were unfair, but the cozy after-dinner scene on Battleship’s box cover didn’t register as one of them. Why would it have? Images of girls and women sitting on the sidelines while they watched boys and men doing things were ubiquitous in mid-twentieth century advertising. Sometimes a girl watched her brother do things, like play the organ, shoot a pellet gun inside the house, or blow up an incredibly phallic balloon. Sometimes, as in a very odd ad that appeared in a 19__ issue of Boy’s Life, a girl watches a boy who watches birds while holding a typewriter on his lap. Something about her mild leer suggests he is not her brother."
Sexist advertising. "A friend recently pointed out to me that the cover illustration on the Battleship board game from 1967 depicts dad and son having fun while mom and sis look on approvingly from the kitchen — where they are doing the dishes. I remember playing Battleship, probably a few years after the game was released (certainly at someone else’s house as there is no way my WWII naval combat survivor father would have allowed it in ours). I already sensed, at a very early age, that some things about being female were unfair, but the cozy after-dinner scene on Battleship’s box cover didn’t register as one of them. Why would it have? Images of girls and women sitting on the sidelines while they watched boys and men doing things were ubiquitous in mid-twentieth century advertising. Sometimes a girl watched her brother do things, like play the organ, shoot a pellet gun inside the house, or blow up an incredibly phallic balloon. Sometimes, as in a very odd ad that appeared in a 19__ issue of Boy’s Life, a girl watches a boy who watches birds while holding a typewriter on his lap. Something about her mild leer suggests he is not her brother."
Trump: 'I never meant' Mexico would 'write a check' for the wall
Trump: 'I never meant' Mexico would 'write a check' for the wall
The grifter wants you to believe him, not your lying eyes.
The grifter wants you to believe him, not your lying eyes.
Samsung phone owners are upset because they can't delete the Facebook app
Samsung phone owners are upset because they can't delete the Facebook app
Wow. "Samsung's sleazy deals with Facebook mean that owners of Samsung phones are not able to uninstall the Facebook apps that come pre-installed with their devices. This is true even of flagship phones like the Galaxy 8. Facebook claims that if you don't login to the app or run it, it won't spy on you." Also, they have a bridge for sale, cheap.
Wow. "Samsung's sleazy deals with Facebook mean that owners of Samsung phones are not able to uninstall the Facebook apps that come pre-installed with their devices. This is true even of flagship phones like the Galaxy 8. Facebook claims that if you don't login to the app or run it, it won't spy on you." Also, they have a bridge for sale, cheap.
Americans Greatly Overestimate Racial Economic Equality in Our Country
Americans Greatly Overestimate Racial Economic Equality in Our Country
A big gap. "For instance, one question in the study asked: “For every $100 earned by an average white family, how much do you think was earned by an average black family in 2013?” The average respondent guessed $85.59, meaning they thought black families make $14.41 less than average white families. The real answer, based on the Current Population Survey, was $57.30, a gap of $42.70. Study participants were off by almost 30 points."
A big gap. "For instance, one question in the study asked: “For every $100 earned by an average white family, how much do you think was earned by an average black family in 2013?” The average respondent guessed $85.59, meaning they thought black families make $14.41 less than average white families. The real answer, based on the Current Population Survey, was $57.30, a gap of $42.70. Study participants were off by almost 30 points."
Wednesday, January 09, 2019
Trump Gets Instant Fact-Check From Fox News After Oval Office Speech
Trump Gets Instant Fact-Check From Fox News After Oval Office Speech
When even Fox News is fact checking the lies...
When even Fox News is fact checking the lies...
GOP rep unveils resolution to create congressional term limits
GOP rep unveils resolution to create congressional term limits
Turnover is good. Serving in Congress was never meant to be a long term career. Now how would this affect lobbying?
Turnover is good. Serving in Congress was never meant to be a long term career. Now how would this affect lobbying?
Tuesday, January 08, 2019
Monday, January 07, 2019
Trump Wants to Deliver Prime-Time Address on Government Shutdown and Will Visit the Border
Trump Wants to Deliver Prime-Time Address on Government Shutdown and Will Visit the Border
Oh, it will infuriate him if the networks do not carry this address.
Oh, it will infuriate him if the networks do not carry this address.
A $20,243 bike crash: Zuckerberg hospital’s aggressive tactics leave patients with big bills
A $20,243 bike crash: Zuckerberg hospital’s aggressive tactics leave patients with big bills
Narrator: It is not common thing. “A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed that ZSFG does not accept any private health insurance, describing this as a normal billing practice. He said the hospital’s focus is on serving those with public health coverage — even if that means offsetting those costs with high bills for the privately-insured. “It’s a pretty common thing,” said Brent Andrew, the hospital spokesperson. “We’re the trauma center for the whole city. Our mission is to serve people who are underserved because of their financial needs. We have to be attuned to that population.””
Narrator: It is not common thing. “A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed that ZSFG does not accept any private health insurance, describing this as a normal billing practice. He said the hospital’s focus is on serving those with public health coverage — even if that means offsetting those costs with high bills for the privately-insured. “It’s a pretty common thing,” said Brent Andrew, the hospital spokesperson. “We’re the trauma center for the whole city. Our mission is to serve people who are underserved because of their financial needs. We have to be attuned to that population.””
Sunday, January 06, 2019
Mulvaney: No one blames Trump for 'coarsening' public discourse
Mulvaney: No one blames Trump for 'coarsening' public discourse
No. Everyone blames Trump for coarsening public discourse. Everyone blames him for breaking norms of behavior and governing that have been in place for decades or more.
No. Everyone blames Trump for coarsening public discourse. Everyone blames him for breaking norms of behavior and governing that have been in place for decades or more.
Saturday, January 05, 2019
Catie on Twitter
Catie on Twitter
Another cowardly cop shoots a dog. (The dog survived) Somehow the rest of us manage to not do this when we encounter dogs.
Another cowardly cop shoots a dog. (The dog survived) Somehow the rest of us manage to not do this when we encounter dogs.
Friday, January 04, 2019
Trump: A Setback For Trumpism
Trump: A Setback For Trumpism
Look at those graphs. "Donald Trump has been called a setback for many things. America. The global community. The environment. Civil service. Civil society. Civility. Civilization. The list goes on. One might think he has at least been useful to his own cause. That he could at least claim to have benefited the ideas of populism, nationalism, immigration control, and protectionism. That if anything could avoid being devastated by Trump, it would be Trumpism. But here are some polls from the past few years. They’re all on slightly different things, but I think together they tell an interesting story"
Look at those graphs. "Donald Trump has been called a setback for many things. America. The global community. The environment. Civil service. Civil society. Civility. Civilization. The list goes on. One might think he has at least been useful to his own cause. That he could at least claim to have benefited the ideas of populism, nationalism, immigration control, and protectionism. That if anything could avoid being devastated by Trump, it would be Trumpism. But here are some polls from the past few years. They’re all on slightly different things, but I think together they tell an interesting story"
Opinion | Environmentalists make good movie villains because they want to make your real life worse
Opinion | Environmentalists make good movie villains because they want to make your real life worse
He's not wrong.
These villains do so with a clear conscience. They _know_ they are doing good.
As C.S. Lewis wrote:
He's not wrong.
"Environmentalists make a useful villain because their malevolence can be obscured by a patina of reasonableness. Global warming and other manmade problems are going to end the world if we don’t do something — so just about anything is justified! But their villainy resonates with the masses because they actually do want to make life worse for people, for the most part.
There’s a reason France convulsed in recent weeks, as middle-class protesters angered by taxes pushed for by environmentalists took to the streets. Environmentalists want to increase the costs of everyday goods and services by taxing carbon. They want you to fly less and to pay more, via offsets, when you do fly. They want you to stop eating meat. They want you to stop having kids. They want to deprive you of disabled-friendly plastic straws — and they’re coming for your delightful balloons next. They want to turn your corpse into food for plants because even the sweet release of death cannot save you from the environmentalist menace.
There is no aspect of your life that environmentalists don’t want to tinker with, no realm immune from their meddling: just think of those poor small-businessmen whose livelihoods were destroyed by a deranged EPA bureaucrat in the 1984 classic “Ghostbusters.” On the plus side, this makes them pretty solid villains. Expect to see more of them in our big-budget films going forward."
These villains do so with a clear conscience. They _know_ they are doing good.
As C.S. Lewis wrote:
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
Gentleman tries to kidnap a woman, but she runs into a karate studio. The man then gets his ass kicked
Gentleman tries to kidnap a woman, but she runs into a karate studio. The man then gets his ass kicked
Good. "A gentleman in Charlotte, North Carolina tried to push a woman into his car, but she got away and ran into a nearby karate studio. The would-be kidnapper chased her inside the dojo, and that's where he met his match. Or, rather, got his ass kicked."
Good. "A gentleman in Charlotte, North Carolina tried to push a woman into his car, but she got away and ran into a nearby karate studio. The would-be kidnapper chased her inside the dojo, and that's where he met his match. Or, rather, got his ass kicked."
WATCH: Ocasio-Cortez posts new dancing video outside congressional office
WATCH: Ocasio-Cortez posts new dancing video outside congressional office
She takes up space in conservative heads the same way Trump does to liberals.
She takes up space in conservative heads the same way Trump does to liberals.
Top Trump officials may receive pay raises while government workers remain unpaid
Top Trump officials may receive pay raises while government workers remain unpaid
No money for workers, more money for Trump officials.
No money for workers, more money for Trump officials.
Thursday, January 03, 2019
First images from China's probe that just landed on the dark side of the moon
First images from China's probe that just landed on the dark side of the moon
Far! Far side of the moon! ALL of the moon gets dark. But still, pretty cool.
Far! Far side of the moon! ALL of the moon gets dark. But still, pretty cool.
Wednesday, January 02, 2019
Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Opinion | 2019: The Year of the Wolves
Opinion | 2019: The Year of the Wolves
We’re going to find out what kind of society we have. I am not overly hopeful. “Trump doesn’t recognize, understand or respect institutional authority. He only understands personal power. He sees every conflict as a personal conflict in which he destroys or gets destroyed. When the indictments come down, Trump won’t play by the rules. He’ll seek to delegitimize those rules. He’ll seek to delegitimize our legal institutions. He’ll personalize every indictment, slander every prosecutor. He’ll seek to destroy the edifice of law in order to save himself.”
We’re going to find out what kind of society we have. I am not overly hopeful. “Trump doesn’t recognize, understand or respect institutional authority. He only understands personal power. He sees every conflict as a personal conflict in which he destroys or gets destroyed. When the indictments come down, Trump won’t play by the rules. He’ll seek to delegitimize those rules. He’ll seek to delegitimize our legal institutions. He’ll personalize every indictment, slander every prosecutor. He’ll seek to destroy the edifice of law in order to save himself.”
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